The longer I'm gone, the less I have to say.

Things have been different around here. My husband's been home for two weeks now. It's difficult to get computer time when he's busy brooding in the office.

Last weekend we went to my parents' house. It's been awhile since we've visited, and they wanted to make the most of our time.

Friday I took the kids out of school early and we headed out. That night there was a "Beauty and the Beast" competition at the college - the coliseum was set up for half Gymnastics, half Wrestling. Beforehand there was autograph signing with Olympic Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson.


It was fun to watch both the gymnatics and the wrestling. The kids had a great time, even if the Toddler did fall asleep halfway through.

Saturday morning we headed down to the river for ice.





No worries, the river had receeded so we were able to stay on solid ground while attacking it with the maul.



Everyone took a turn or two.





We brough back a bucket of ice, chopped it into small pieces, and used it to make homemade ice cream.


That's not the hand crank ice cream maker we had when I was growing up. The kids took a dip in the hot tub while the ice cream maker worked.


After lunch we headed to the rock climbing wall.


The toddler surprised me with her willingness to try.
As a point of reference, my husband is 6' 6".

The Boy worked it like Spiderman.
So did the Big Girl.

It only took a couple of tries before my dad, my husband and I were in harnesses.

My sixty-something year old Dad made it look effortless.

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Speaking of my Dad, he's having surgery Friday morning.

Though his doctor is confident of a good outcome, I can't help but worry.

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So let's round this up - my husband's unemployed, we're moving at the end of the school year, and my Dad's having surgery. Makes for a pretty full plate.

Though I did prove that I could reach the top of the climbing wall, you won't see any pictures of me in a harness any time soon.

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Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams

There are only a couple things I'm looking for next year. I don't think they're too much to ask.


#1 - That the kids will sit still for one reasonably good picture.

One.

This is where the boy tries to kiss his older sister.

This is where she pushes him away. The kissing? Purely to torture his picture.

Ok. Reasonably good. Now, if someone could do something about the crappy lighting.

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#2 Next year I want to get my projects done earlier. Say July.


Quilt for my MIL. She really liked it.



Quilt for my mom. She cried. My husband was worried we didn't do enough for my parents this year. Until he saw my mom's reaction to the quilt. First off, it's beautiful - if I do say so. Secondly, she understands the time and effort that went into it. Third - it's from the heart. I knew it was something she would cherish - and you can't buy that.

My dad's quilt:



My dad and daughter both love sudoku. This one's set up the same - only with fabric instead of numbers. I had my oldest solve a sudoku, and then I made it into a quilt. She picked out the fabric (I added the red) and determined which fabric would be which number. It's backed with black fleece, so it's perfectly warm and snuggly - no batting required.

Three quilts for Christmas is a pretty tall order. Next year I'll have to scale back or start earlier. Like today.

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#3 Peace on earth, goodwill toward men. And women. And children.



What did you think I wanted, a baby?

This picture does make my uterus ache.

Just a little.

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Sweet Baby A

Here in the heartland visiting my sister and her sweet new baby.

The cousins are enthralled with each other. They take turns playing with the twins and beg for turns holding their new cousin, Miss A.



Who can blame them?

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Sometimes it's the little things

"Look how low the doors are, Mom!" my boy screeched at the rest stop. Rather that tell him to stop, I make him wait so I can get a picture.



On the drive back from the inlaws, I crocheted a blanket for my new niece. Rather than just getting a picture of the blanket, I had to go for the gratuitous belly shot. Heh. It's the biggest Granny Square I've ever done.



Speaking of crocheting... Did I tell you that my sister had four weeks in the hospital? She had mom bring her stash of yarn from home...



It's hard to see but there are three blankets, a sweater, a candy corn hat, and about 20 baby hats. Some of them went to the NiCU for the itty-bitty babies.

Saturday I did a 5k with a friend. My time was 38:34 - about a 12:37 mile. Considering how long it's been since I've run, I'm pretty pleased.

Of course we had to congratulate ourselves with breakfast afterward...

Yes, that's a fried egg and sausage sandwich with a side of biscuits and gravy. Yes, it was good. Very good.



On our way out of town, I had to make a stop for the #1 thing in Isle 4.

I am a barbecue sauce snob. Fortunately my inlaws live in the midwest version of barbecue heaven. I stocked up and was amused by the sign, clearly they think barbecue sauce is #1 also.

Life is in the little things.

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Not much else. Mama and baby are doing well. As always, there is more to the story, but I'm waiting for the OK from my sister before I share it.

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Happy Baby Day!

Big news... My sister had her baby!

After four weeks in the hospital, one amnio, countess non-stress tests, and a stream of doctors and nurses she delivered a healthy baby girl this morning!

6 lbs and 12.6 ozs and 19 1/2 inches long.

She's still waiting for a name.

The baby is hanging out in the nursery for a bit getting used to her new surroundings.

Huzzah! No seizures, no ICU for my sister, no NiCU for the baby - it's a good day!

...

I could get up, walk out the door, and no one would be any the wiser

We made it to the inlaws.

I managed to pick up two books - my time was rather limited as I was completing packing and needing to pick up the Toddler at preschool. I also packed up my 'to do' yarn projects.

At least I won't be bored.

For the most part, once we get here, I might as well leave.

My husband talks with his dad. My MIL plays with the kids.

And there I sit.

Don't feel sorry for me - oh no don't! As soon as I learned to bring plenty of projects and/or books, I'm fine with it.

It's not that the necessarily ignore me...

Well, maybe.

It's just I don't really put myself out there much.

And it works for me... My MIL gets to see the kids and I get quiet time. What more could I ask for?

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I know it's strange for her as well.

I'm struggling with the fact that my sister is so sick she's in the hospital.

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Friday already?

This week has flown by.

All is good on the homefront.

My sister is doing fine. She asked Mom to bring her yarn to work with while she waits.

The Sweet Pea:


The Daisy:


The Pansy:


Doesn't she do wonderful work?

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My mother-in-law is here for a visit. She arrived Wednesday and will be going home Saturday. It's been a really good visit. I've been keeping her busy - just dragging her along wherever I go.

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Still trying to figure out this weekend. Since the weather's been holding, I really feel like we need to do something - especially since my husband leaves Tuesday and won't be home until Sunday. It's going to be a long week.

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Have a great weekend!

Steady as she goes...

Here I sit, my Toddler asking about a second Pop Tart, my other two playing outside, my husband playing golf, my new fabric fluffing in the dryer. All is as it should be.

Except 200 miles away my sister is in the hospital.

Last night she 'wasn't feeling right' and went to the hospital.

Contractions.

They were able to stop them in about an hour. Give or take.

She's still there for another day or so. Steroid shots that leave her feeling like a pincushion, constant monitoring, another 24 hour pee test... As a parent, though, she'll do what she must, she'll do it with a smile. They're all small things to ensure your child's well being.

Our fingers are crossed she can hold the baby until October. That will give her a 35 week preemie, versus a 33 week preemie.

One day at a time.

Once she gets home, she'll be on bedrest. With the exception of potty breaks and a quick shower, her only goal is to rest. Our mom will make sure of that.

Me? I'm back to where I was when she had the twins so suddenly, wishing I was closer.

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Just call me Ma Ingalls

Been a bit busy here...

Wednesday the kids and I made a trip to the first Farmer's Market of the year. The pickings were pretty slim due to the cool spring, but I did scare up some nice asparagus and new onions. A neighbor dropped off the fresh picked strawberries as well. Need to get some jam made this morning.



I really enjoy hanging clothes on the line. My goal is not to use the dryer until Labor Day, if not later. All those tank tops and black shorts? Training has started for the Twin Cities Marathon on October 5th.



My latest nearly done little girl dress. I ran out of binding, and need to sew it on the front. Rather than pinch the binding and hope to get both sides in one pass, I sew down the wrong side first then zig-zag on the right.



We're in the process of getting a new dishwasher. I say 'process' because there's something wrong with one of our lines and it needs to be replaced. Until that happens, I'm doing dishes by hand. No biggie except we don't have hot water in the kitchen, leaving me to heat water on the stove.

I realize I could walk up stairs, go in the bathroom, and get hot water there, but there's something oddly satisfying about heating it on the stove. And no, we're not using paper plates either.



I'd like to think I would have made a decent pioneer. Ha!

We're headed to my parents again this weekend. Last weekend was the big, blowout retirement bash for my mom. This weekend is the Indy car race in Newton. In other words, my husband and dad will play golf Saturday and go to the race Sunday. Leaving me to lay around my parents house. Sounds like a good time to me!

Have a great weekend, all. Make the most of it!



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NSFW... Something unusual from me

A number of years back, my uncle decided to ride his bike across the US. He took a friend to provide support and video tape it.

This is what happens when he asks for directions...



It starts pretty slow, but the last minute or two are golden. Not Safe For Work!

All's well, that ends well

It used to really bother me to take separate 'vacations' on Memorial Day Weekend... Now, not so much.

He gets to do fun stuff...


And so do I...



What? A box of fabric? Huh? Actually it's two WIPs from my mom's basement. They are quilts my sister started, and doesn't have the gumption to finish. Or maybe it's the 13 month old twins. Or the other bun in the oven. Who knows.

We started pulling boxes from the basement yesterday. My sister pulled up one with two half finished quilt tops. She pulled the pink one out, wondering when she'd ever get it done.

I volunteered. With a couple of ground rules... I will give them back no later than her birthday in October. Final say is mine in the finished product - final block placement, backing, binding, etc.

She happily agreed.

See, this is my favorite part of the project - the squares are done, and in putting them together they really start to look like something. My sister? She likes to make the squares.

A perfect arrangement.

Also, I dug through Mom's Box of Remnants, and came up with this...



A box and a pile of fabric. Whoot! Most of them would be considered vintage, as they're over 25 years old. All in very good shape, though. And they're not bitty scraps, either. Most are at least a yard.

The only thing holding me back from diving into the boxes are the two preschool teacher gifts I need done today for tomorrow...

Better get scooting!


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Big wheels keep on turning

Carry me home to see my kin
Singing songs about the southland
I miss alabamy once again
And I think its a sin, yes

Made it down to my parents. Sure, it's only three hours, but with three kids that's always an adventure.

Memorial Day weekend is spent with my parents. My husband has other plans - one of which is a now 15 year tradition.

My husband played Augusta National Golf Club yesterday. You know, where they play The Masters? Yea. There. He promised pictures - as he took my new camera with him.

This morning he was up at 4 am and on his way to Indianapolis. You know. The Indy 500... Oh, the tradition.

He lives a charmed life I tell you.

But I'm ok with it. After all, I'll spend with weekend with my doting mom. Dad will be back Sunday. He's on a walkabout in the mountains with his brother. Me? I'm banking my days. At this point, I could probably leave for a month.

I'll wait. I'll bide my time. It's coming, I tell you. It's coming. I just need something really, really good. And for my mom to retire so they can watch the kids.

Have a great weekend, all!


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"She's got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories
Where everything
Was as fresh as the bright blue sky
Now and then when I see her face
She takes me away to that special place
And if I stared too long
I'd probably break down and cry..."

It was an eventful weekend. Besides the yard work, which there are no pictures of because I was trying to keep up with my parents, we had a few other things happen...

Wiggle it, just a little bit...


Eh, the tissue's not working...


Moooooom.... Stop it.


One final picture. I love those teeth. They've served him well.



Whoops. I only shed one tear. In my laundry room where no one could see.



And here he is. He wouldn't let me take his picture earlier in the day. I had to catch him off guard.



And my oldest? I'm weeping a little differently for her.



She finished her first year of dance. The instructor told me she's hoping to see her signed up next year. I know she says that to all the girls, but it still means a lot.

There's something about her look. It's as if I can see her growing up before my very eyes. Very teary eyes.



And this one? In a few short weeks she'll be four. Though I knew this day would come... I just didn't think it would come so soon.

Yes, nap time at the recital. Both of them in fact.



Pardon me while I go dab my eyes.

Regular projecting will resume tomorrow. And boy, oh boy, do I have something good!

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I cried. A lot.

Sometimes the hardest part of the decision is making it. Friday night, my husband asked what I wanted to do about the weekend. Did I want to go down Saturday, after the kids' ice skating, or go by myself Sunday? Either way. Or did I want to go Right Now. Yes. All of the above. Someone else make the decision, the spaghetti sauce is getting watered down by my tears.

I decided to wait and check the weather Saturday. It was a no go. Blowing snow and below freezing temperatures made traveling an unnecessary risk.

Sunday morning, I started the car at 7:45 and left at 8. Had to give it time to warm up. -15 F not counting windchill (that would put it at between -40 and -30 -- I wish I was kidding).

It was a pretty day for a drive.

It gets better. Only about 10 miles of knuckle gripping drive. Mostly, I just surfed the radio stations.
Home again, home again. This is where I grew up. There is nothing quite like getting here. It's like going to another time. A time when someone else did your laundry, cooked your food, and paid the mortage. It's a beautiful thing.



My sister came up with the babies. They're getting ready to turn one. I reminded her that the weather was about the same when I made the day trip to visit her in ICU. Dangle, dangle - I held it over her head. Heh.

We visited Grandma. I cried most of the hour long visit. I'm crying right now just thinking about it. It hurts to know the end is coming, but in some ways will be a relief. She's not enjoying herself. She did love to enjoy herself... This is from her 90th birthday.


It is hard. Very hard. She lived a good life. I was able to say goodbye, hold her hand, rub her cheek, give her a kiss... Blah, blah, blah. It still sucks.

As we were heading back to my parents, my sister and I decided something. I mentioned how nice her hair looked, and asked where she had it done... Her smart reply, "My bathroom." Oh! How Nice!

What's a girl to do? I could pay someone $100 to do it, or get the $20 kit and have her do it...



Any guesses as to what we did? Mom let me borrow an old shirt.

I tell you what. We shared this bathroom growing up. It was never this harmonious. Never. Well, until I left for college...

I guess that's one way to beat stress - go Red. Yes. Red. I have never been red, but always been tempted. This fall, watch for a chestnut brown. Life's too short. You can wish in one hand, and crap in another and see which fills up first. The pictures don't do it justice. She did a fantastic job.

And then we ate. A lot. Another excellent stress beater.


The drive home sucked. I cried some more. But at least I have fabulous hair.




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